Rethinking the ‘Full Reparation’ standard in energy investment arbitration: how to take climate change into account

One crucial measure to curb global warming is the phasing out of fossil fuel production, but doing so can deprive the value of foreign investments in fossil fuels and amount to breaches of investment treaties. Normally, investment treaties are silent about the standards of compensation when treaty violations are established. Tribunals mostly refer to the ‘full reparation’ standard in general international law, potentially resulting in high amounts of compensation that place a significant burden on States implementing climate actions. This paper argues that the amount of compensation under the ‘full reparation’ standard can be reduced on four grounds: (i) depressed energy price in the peak demand era, (ii) unviability of fossil fuel projects, (iii) international environmental obligations, and (iv) international environmental principles. An interpretation document entered into by States can clarify the application of the ‘full reparation’ standard and ensure that these factors are taken into account in quantifying compensation.